Caltrans Puts More Projects on Hold

As passage of a fiscal 2010-11 state budget gets nearer to fruition, the California Department of Transportation nonetheless delayed or deferred $932 million in transportation funding during the California Transportation Commission meeting Sept. 23.

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Last month, $3 billion in transportation projects were impacted statewide, bringing the total to $3.9 billion in the past two months.

“The effects of the delayed budget are being felt as the California Transportation Commission meets today,” says Caltrans Director Cindy McKim. “Funding for transportation projects worth $2.3 billion that are contingent on the approval of the state budget may either be deferred or delayed. These include projects funded by Proposition 1B, the transportation bond approved by state voters in 2006.”

Funding that is contingent upon approval of the 2010 state budget include a partial allocation to local agencies, valued at $678 million, $61 million for intercity rail and bus service on California’s San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner routes, and $37 million for 20 transportation projects statewide. The CTC also deferred $156 million in allocations for nine projects, including $106 million for the following five projects funded by Proposition 1B:

In Riverside County, $39.2 million to add one new lane in each direction on Interstate 215 in Murietta from the Interstate 15/215 interchange to Scott Road.

In San Mateo County, $32.6 million to construct new lanes on U.S. Highway 101 between University Avenue in East Palo Alto and Marsh Road in Milpitas.

In San Diego County, $10.5 million to construct a new lane on State Route 78 in San Marcos and Escondido from Woodland Parkway/Barham Drive to Nordahl Road.

Also in San Diego County, $3.8 million to extend a connector ramp on State Route 78 from Nordahl Road to Interstate 15.

And in Los Angeles County, $20 million to convert bus/carpool lanes to bus/carpool toll lanes along the Interstate 10 and Interstate 110 corridors.

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